BRECKLAND FOREST MARATHON AND 1/2 MARATHON 22/04/2018
5 GO MAD IN THETFORD
While the focus of Coltishall Jaguars RC’s attention was on a little event going on in London, five hardy Jags travelled to Thetford to take part in the Breckland Marathon and Half Marathon staged to raise funds for the British Trust for Ornithology.
Although a low key affair the atmosphere was no less vibrant as the runners collected their numbers and made their preparations, going through their individual pre-race rituals for the challenge that lay ahead.
As predicted it was unseasonably warm with temperatures due to reach 22C but this didn’t deter the runners as they toed the line for the 9am start.
Both the marathon and half marathon competitors started together and followed the same route as they left the town hugging the bank of the Little Ouse River before heading off on trails through Thetford Forest. At the second checkpoint, St Helens Country Park (6.7 miles), the half marathon competitors turned after grabbing some much needed refreshments and retracing their steps back to the finish at the BTO HQ.
The marathon runners carried on from this point moving further into Thetford Forest before they rejoined the Little Ouse River path just after the 3rd checkpoint (approx 10 miles). This would prove to be the toughest section of the course on the undulating path that made for difficult running as it twisted and turned to follow the course of the river.
The half way point for the marathon runners was at Brandon and they were greeted by cheers from marshals and well wishers as they emerged from the path to get their fill of water, squash, gels, jaffa cakes and jelly babies before they began their return leg.
The weather forecast didn’t disappoint and the heat started to take its toll on the runners as the race progressed, many of whom had to take unscheduled walk breaks to cope with conditions. All competitors arrived safely home if a little worse for wear.
Scott Shrubsall, Julian Smith and Nicola Lambert-John tackled the half marathon distance and took 6th, 7th and 8th place respectively but crossed the line together and were given the same, very respectable, time of 1:54.
Nicola was 2nd lady home and received a silver medal for her efforts.
Thomas Lincoln-Kemp and Paul Emery took on the full marathon distance. Thomas finished in a time of 4:08 for 7th place. Paul Emery, competing in his first marathon, finished in a time of 4:19 for 12th place.
The half marathon was won by Johnny Hodges in a time of 1:28
Top spot in the marathon was taken by Romas Bleda in a time of 3:34
NAME | TIME | POSITION |
---|---|---|
FULL MARATHON | ||
THOMAS LINCOLN-KEMP | 4:08:00 | |
PAUL EMERY | 4:19:00 | |
HALF MARATHON | ||
NICOLA LAMBERT-JOHN | 1:54:00 | 2ND FEMALE |
SCOTT SHRUBSALL | 1:54:00 | |
JULIAN SMITH | 1:54:00 |